The Evolution of Indigenous Relations with the Canadian State

There's no way to summarize this appropriately. In Episode 8,  we'll be addressing Indigenous relations with the Canadian state from a variety of perspectives, grounded in history, and based on my education. We'll talk about whiteness, the media, and the Canadian State as factors in the perception of how one may view this topic. Then, we'll go over the 21 things of the book '21 Things you Might Not Know About the Indian Act' by Bob Joseph, with comments on my interpretations of specific socioeconomic issues and political tensions related to the points raised. We'll touch on two methods of governance reform avenues available for Indigenous communities that work with the Canadian Federal State, what that means,  and finally, address how one is possibly expected to face the reality of where the future can go. Which is- spoiler alert- anywhere.  

Is this a heavy topic? Yes. This is not light. Is it filled with heavy language? Yes. But did I do my best to explain it clearly, which is why it took an hour and 7 minutes? also yes. People who are alive today lived through the application of this legislation. I have sat across from John Elliot, in the pouring rain on ancestral land, which is now public parkland. I have heard history directly from the source that has been so desperately attempted to be buried. Please listen to this, and if you feel so inspired, go and hear from them directly too. This conversation with people who look like me is so necessary and so overdue. 

 HISKWE to Marcia Turner,  John Elliot, and Nick Claxton specifically for educating me and giving me the foundation to even begin to discuss this topic. And, thank you to Marie Clements for being my window into this community. She is such a creative and wonderful woman and has inspired so much curiosity for me. 

* I misspoke when I said over 14,000 Indigenous children have been found to date at residential schools. Over 14,000 is the total estimation based on current trends from 'schools' that have been searched. 1,802 children have been recovered as of Sept. 16th, 2021 from 8 of the 139 total 'schools'. 

Cheers,

Alexia

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